The Importance of Acting

In an instant, all attention shifted to Sen Chisato.

"Kid, do you know what you're saying?" Shimura Danzo's tone was icy.

Without needing an order, one of the guards beside him immediately drew his sword and charged at Sen Chisato.

This was the style of the Root ninjas.

Led by Shimura Danzo, they were like cold-blooded killing machines; from eighty-year-old elders to newborn infants, as long as the order was given, they could kill even the Third Hokage if commanded.

Not to mention, Sen Chisato was merely an insignificant experimental subject in Orochimaru's hands.

Shimura Danzo cast a sidelong glance, watching Sen Chisato with indifference, though most of his attention remained on Orochimaru.

He did not know Sen Chisato's name, but he recognized him.

This kid had survived in Orochimaru's hands for nearly five years.

Therefore, Orochimaru likely valued this kid quite a bit, and he had to guard against Orochimaru suddenly making a move—even if the probability was low.

When two jackals cooperate, one must always keep a guard up.

Yet, to his surprise, Orochimaru stood motionless, arms crossed over his chest, looking like he was watching a show, with no intention of intervening.

Clang!

The sound of weapons clashing rang out, and the Root ninja instantly retreated with his blade.

Shimura Danzo's pupils constricted; he had seen the weapon in Sen Chisato's hand.

It was a wooden spike protruding from Sen Chisato's palm, which had not only blocked the Root ninja's attack but had nearly impaled him.

There was no mistake—this was Wood Release!

The Root ninja prepared to attack again, but Shimura Danzo hurriedly stopped him: "Halt!"

The Root ninja stopped immediately, but Sen Chisato took the initiative and charged toward them.

The wooden spike aimed for the Root ninja's head, extending rapidly like a spear.

Too fast!

Shimura Danzo hadn't expected that even after he had given the order, Sen Chisato would dare to continue the assault.

The Root ninja reacted with extreme speed, dodging to the side, but his shoulder was still pierced by the wooden spike.

The next step should be the Cutting Technique, Shimura Danzo thought.

He had long coveted Wood Release and understood much about the various ninjutsu based on it; in fact, he even had a Wood Release user in his own ranks.

He knew his subordinate would soon be pierced through from the inside out by dozens of wooden spikes, but he didn't care.

He wanted to see just how far Sen Chisato could go.

But then Orochimaru spoke, his voice filled with magnetism: "That's enough, Chisato."

With just a single thought, he could have sent the Root ninja to his death, but the moment Orochimaru spoke, Sen Chisato stopped decisively.

He was nothing if not obedient!

Sen Chisato kept his small face cold, broke off the wooden spike, and used a Body Flicker technique to appear beside Orochimaru, glaring fiercely at Shimura Danzo and his men like a lion cub trying to protect its mother.

"Lord Orochimaru, they dared to be disrespectful to you. Why didn't you let me kill them?"

"A lesson is enough; there is no need to kill them." Orochimaru reached out to pat Sen Chisato's head, his words a gentle reprimand. "Also, I told you not to use Wood Release casually, or your body won't be able to handle it."

"Until I am finished using it, this body cannot be destroyed."

"Yes!"

Sen Chisato immediately lowered his head to admit his fault, his tone filled with guilt: "I'm sorry, Lord Orochimaru. I just wanted to defend you too much."

His acting was exquisite, comparable to an Oscar-winning actor.

Shimura Danzo had completely lost his previous dissatisfaction; he didn't even glance at his injured subordinate, instead stepping forward to loom over Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru, hand this kid over to me!"

"I have already given you one." Orochimaru extended his tongue and licked his lips.

Sen Chisato, who understood Orochimaru, knew that he was angry.

That's it, keep pushing, Lord Danzo, Sen Chisato thought to himself.

Shimura Danzo did not disappoint him, stating in an unquestionable tone: "Orochimaru, don't forget that I fund all your research. All your research results belong to me."

"Today, I am taking this kid with me!"

Coldness flickered in Orochimaru's slit pupils, and he felt deeply dissatisfied with Shimura Danzo.

Shimura Danzo was simply too greedy!

Before he could make a move, Sen Chisato suddenly lunged forward, as if unable to resist attacking again.

But after taking only two steps, Sen Chisato's face turned pale; his body swayed, and he collapsed to his knees, vomiting a mouthful of blood.

At the same time, his body began to tremble, and his back started to writhe uncontrollably.

"Puchi!"

Wood spikes sprouted from his back, even overtaking his shoulders.

Shimura Danzo's expression shifted, a wave of disappointment washing over him.

He had seen this phenomenon far too many times.

The erosive power of Hashirama's cells was simply too strong; every test subject unable to withstand the corruption ended up looking exactly like this before they died.

Although this brat had survived the experiment, he couldn't even be considered a defective product; he was merely a failure who had survived by sheer luck.

Given his current state, the boy wouldn't live much longer.

"Since you like him so much, you can keep him. Next time I come, I expect to see more results." Shimura Danzo snorted coldly and turned to leave.

"Wait." Orochimaru called out to stop him. "The research funding is running low, and the supply of test subjects is nearly exhausted."

"Do you have any idea what time it is? Hiruzen is placing great importance on the village's defenses right now. It's impossible to snatch people from within the village; I can only capture them for you on the battlefield."

With another cold snort, Shimura Danzo left behind a curt "Wait" and departed with his guards.

Watching them leave, Orochimaru looked at Sen Chisato, his voice laced with dissatisfaction.

"Chisato, I always thought you were an obedient child."

"I'm sorry, Lord Orochimaru." Sen Chisato lay weakly on the ground, saying guiltily, "I can feel it—my body won't last much longer."

"So, please, Lord Orochimaru, conduct the next experiment on me as soon as possible so that I may offer my final contribution to you."

Orochimaru threw Sen Chisato onto the operating table and, after a careful examination, his expression turned grim.

Sen Chisato's body was collapsing at an alarming rate!

"Don't worry, I will make good use of your body." He licked his lips, his resolve hardened.

He had to experiment on others as quickly as possible to update his research data, then proceed with the next experiment on Sen Chisato.

Perhaps, in doing so, he could save his most important test subject.

No sooner said than done; in the days that followed, Orochimaru experimented on others incessantly, consuming more and more subjects.

In a corner that went unnoticed, a frail-looking Sen Chisato stared at the mounting pile of corpses, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.

"Soon. I will fully awaken Wood Release very soon."

He licked his lips, looking like a miniature version of Orochimaru.

To help him awaken Wood Release... no, to save his little life, Orochimaru researched day and night, reaching a point where he forgot to eat or sleep.

He hadn't slept, and he hadn't even eaten a proper meal, relying solely on Military Ration Pills to stave off hunger every day.

How could he not be moved by this?

Lord Orochimaru was truly a good man!

He praised him inwardly and began to consider his subsequent plans.

Wood Release would awaken momentarily, and soon he would have the means to protect himself. The next step was to persuade Lord Orochimaru to take him to the battlefield.

Yes, it would allow Lord Orochimaru to accumulate military merit, gain more prestige, and move one step closer to the position of Hokage, while also securing more test subjects—excellent ones, like ninjas from various villages.

Finally, it would also allow him to obtain some trivial system rewards.

How was this not a benefit... a form of repayment?

Everything I am doing is for the sake of Lord Orochimaru.

As expected, I am a good person too, Sen Chisato thought.